Limitless Evolution: I’m The Next Dragon God?

"Wakey, wakey, Yuki. Time to get up!"

Runa's cheerful voice rang out as she gently shook Yuki's soft, scaled body.

Yuki groaned in mild annoyance and gave his body a good shake, trying to rouse the rest of his lazy cells.

That's when Runa's eyes caught something surprising.

"Ehehehe.. Yuki. You've grown bigger, haven't you?"

Yuki turned his face away, refusing to make eye contact. He didn't want to explain anything.

"Looks like what my mom said was right. Some dragons really do grow faster," Runa mumbled softly to herself.

"Grrr..."

Suddenly, Runa's stomach growled. A second later, Yuki's followed suit with an even louder rumble.

"So, you're hungry too? Then let's go hunt some meat."

She giggled and scooped Yuki into her arms, but this time she instantly felt the change. He was heavier.

"Sigh... Yuki, if you keep growing at this rate, I won't be able to carry you much longer. And when that day comes, you might leave me behind. I'll be alone all over again..."

Her voice drifted into a whisper, mixed with a trace of sadness she couldn't hide.

Yuki remained quiet in her arms, but inside, his heart stirred.

'Leave her?'

'Is that what she's afraid of?'

He stared up at her childish yet determined face, those big eyes still full of warmth despite everything.

'She's the first one to show me kindness in this life. Gave me food. Gave me a home. Carried me like I wasn't a monster.'

'Even if I grow wings that tear through the sky, or claws that can shatter mountains... I won't leave her.'

He blinked slowly, feeling something unfamiliar swelling inside his chest.

'Maybe she's just a little girl, but she's stronger than most adults I knew. And... she feels more human than anyone else I've ever met. Just like Maya.'

Yuki nestled a bit closer into her arms, letting out a faint purr-like growl of comfort.

'So what if I become a mighty dragon one day? I'll carry her instead.'

As Runa was walking with her golden hair fluttering in the wind, she suddenly noticed the sudden change in Yuki's demeanour. He no longer felt unfamiliar to her.

Feeling the acceptance, She hugged him even more tighter nearly suffocating Yuki to death.

The sun had only begun peeking through the treetops when Runa stepped out of the small wooden hut, holding Yuki close against her chest. The cool morning breeze carried the scent of dew and distant beasts.

"Let's go somewhere deeper today. The big ones hide out there," Runa whispered with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Yuki perked his ears. 'Uh? deeper? Doesn't that sounds dangerous? Sigh, I hope this little girl doesn't get me killed.'

She began walking through the dense foliage, barefoot but steady, as if she knew every root and stone by memory. Her golden hair shimmered faintly in the soft sunlight, and her tattered dress fluttered behind her like a faded flag of defiance.

Not long after, Runa suddenly crouched behind a tree and held a finger to her lips.

"Shhh," she breathed. "Look there, Yuki."

Yuki followed her gaze. Up ahead, in a clearing beyond a ridge of rocks, a large boar-like creature with bristled black fur and massive tusks was drinking from a muddy pool.

[ Thornhide Boar – Level 7 ]

[ Extractions: Available ]

Yuki's eyes gleamed. 'Oh. A level 7 beast? If I can help her bring that down, I'll gain a lot from it.'

He felt his muscles tense with instinct. This wasn't a toad or a bug. This would be a real fight.

"You stay here, Yuki." Runa whispered as she summoned her metal harpoon out of thin air again, her grip tightening. "Let me bring home a feast for us."

Yuki growled lowly in response, his wings stretching slightly behind her arm.

Runa adjusted her grip on the harpoon, narrowing her eyes on the boar. The creature was massive, easily the size of a small wagon, with curved tusks stained from past hunts.

It snorted and stomped around the muddy pool, clearly restless.

Swish!

In the next moment, the metal harpoon hurtled through the air, slicing the wind.

The boar tried to dodge, but with its massive body and weight, it was far too slow.

It had no choice but to rely on its thick hide for defense.

Squelch!

But reality quickly taught it a harsh lesson.

The metal harpoon pierced its hide cleanly, as if skewering through muscle and flesh.

"Guuur."

The boar let out a guttural cry, writhing in agony, then began to flee, instinctively realizing it was no match for that seemingly harmless little human girl.

Just then, Yuki gathered his courage and sprang into action.

With a low growl in his throat, he leapt onto the air using [Windleap Dash], his wings fluttering slightly to boost his jump. Mid-air, he sucked in a breath of chilling air and released [Frost Breath] in rapid bursts.

A stream of icy mist shot from his mouth, striking the boar's legs dead-on.

The frost spread instantly, locking the creature's limbs in place with crystalline ice.

But—

"Roar!"

Crack! Crack! Shatter!

With a guttural roar, the Thornhide Boar shattered the ice with raw brute strength, muscles rippling beneath its tough, scarred hide.

Grrrrr!

It launched itself at Yuki with terrifying force. Its eyes were burning with rage and pain.

Yuki's eyes widened. "Seriously?!" he cursed, flapping his wings in panic. He activated [Windleap Dash] again, his body disappearing in a blur just as the boar's tusks rammed the earth where he had stood.

A tremor ran through the ground as the large beast missed and struck only dirt.

Then—

Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!

With sharp whistles cutting through the air, several metal spears rained down from above, stabbing into the boar's thick back one after another.

Blood splattered across the ground. The beast let out a final scream of pain and collapsed to the forest floor with a thunderous thud, twitching as the light faded from its red eyes.

Yuki landed lightly ahead of Runa, breathing heavily. His body was trembling from the thrill and fear of battle.

Runa jogged up beside him with a wide grin, sweat glistening on her brow, and gave him a proud thumbs-up.

"Way to go, Yuki. Because of you, I was able to land the hit. You're a hero," she said as if proud, her voice filled with encouragement.